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The Battle For History: Inside Marilyn Monroe's Final Home And The Shocking Fight To Save It From Demolition (2025 Update)

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Few properties in Hollywood history hold the mystique and emotional weight of the residence where the world's most famous star, Marilyn Monroe, spent her final days. For decades, the focus has been on the tragic end of her life at this single-story Spanish Colonial home, but as of today, December 23, 2025, the narrative has shifted dramatically to one of preservation and legal victory, securing the property's place in history.

The Brentwood house, often mistakenly referred to as an "apartment" due to her earlier New York City residences, is the only property Marilyn Monroe ever purchased in her own name. Recent, crucial legal battles in Los Angeles have ensured that this iconic structure, located at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, will not be lost to development, cementing its status as a permanent Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). The story of her life is inextricably linked to the places she called home, each address a chapter in the legend of Norma Jeane.

The Iconic Life of Norma Jeane: Marilyn Monroe’s Biographical Profile

Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most enduring figures in global popular culture, a symbol of Hollywood glamour, vulnerability, and tragedy. Her life, though short, was marked by a constant search for stability and home, a quest that ended in the quiet Brentwood cul-de-sac.

  • Birth Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson (later baptized Norma Jeane Baker)
  • Born: June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Died: August 5, 1962 (Age 36), Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Cause of Death: Barbiturate overdose (ruled as probable suicide)
  • Occupation: Actress, model, singer, producer
  • Notable Films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, The Misfits
  • Spouses: James Dougherty (m. 1942; div. 1946), Joe DiMaggio (m. 1954; div. 1955), Arthur Miller (m. 1956; div. 1961)

The Final Sanctuary: 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood

The Brentwood residence is not just a historical property; it is a tangible piece of Marilyn Monroe's personal dream. After a lifetime of foster homes and temporary apartments, she finally purchased her own home in early 1962, just months before her death. This Spanish Colonial-style house represented her first and only venture into homeownership, a rare glimpse into her desire for a private, stable life away from the Hollywood glare.

Architectural Style and First-Ever Ownership

The property at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive is a charming, single-story residence built in 1929. The architectural style is a classic Spanish Colonial Revival, often referred to as a Hacienda style. This design is characterized by its white stucco walls, red-tiled roof, and arched doorways, giving it a distinct Mediterranean feel.

Monroe reportedly paid around $75,000 for the house, a significant sum at the time, equivalent to approximately $775,000 in 2024. She personally selected furniture and imported Mexican tiles for the home, intending to create a tranquil, authentic retreat. The home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a swimming pool, and sits on a quarter-acre lot, secluded behind high walls and lush foliage on a quiet cul-de-sac.

The 2024/2025 Demolition Battle and Historic Designation

In a dramatic turn of events that captured global attention, the Brentwood home became the center of a high-stakes preservation battle. In late 2023, the property's current owners filed for a demolition permit, intending to raze the historic structure and build a new house on the valuable land. This move sparked immediate public outcry and a massive effort by preservationists and the Los Angeles Conservancy to save the house.

The efforts paid off. In June 2024, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to halt the demolition and officially designate the residence as a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). This designation effectively prevents the owners from demolishing or significantly altering the structure without city approval, a monumental victory for Hollywood history.

The legal fight continued into 2025. In September 2025, a judge sided with the City of Los Angeles, upholding the HCM status and ruling against the current homeowners who had sued to overturn the designation. This ruling is the most recent and definitive update, securing the future of the house and ensuring that this vital piece of celebrity real estate and cultural heritage will stand for generations to come. The decision was a major win for the preservation of mid-century Los Angeles history and the legacy of the legendary actress.

Beyond Brentwood: Marilyn Monroe’s Other Iconic Homes and Apartments

While the Brentwood house remains the most significant due to its tragic final chapter, Marilyn Monroe's life was a journey through various temporary residences, from humble beginnings to luxury New York apartments. These other homes provide a broader picture of her life and career progression.

The East Coast Elegance: 444 East 57th Street, New York City

Perhaps her most significant "apartment" residence was the luxury co-op she shared with her third husband, playwright Arthur Miller, in the prestigious Sutton Place neighborhood of Manhattan. Located at 444 East 57th Street, this high-rise building was a stark contrast to the sprawling Los Angeles homes. Monroe and Miller lived here during their marriage, a period when she was deeply involved with the Actors Studio and attempting to transition into more serious dramatic roles. The building, constructed in the 1920s, is known for its affluent residents and its classic New York architectural style, reflecting her brief but intense period of intellectual and artistic pursuit in New York City.

West Coast Stops: Granville Towers and Beverly Hills

Before settling in Brentwood, Marilyn lived in several notable Los Angeles-area apartments and houses, often moving after major life changes, such as a divorce. One such residence was a French Normandy-style penthouse in West Hollywood, often known as the Voltaire Apartments, or Granville Towers. She moved here after her highly publicized divorce from baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, seeking a fresh start.

Another significant address was 718 North Palm Drive in Beverly Hills, where she also resided for a period. These properties, though not owned, were crucial in providing her with the necessary privacy and space during her peak years of fame. The constant movement between these high-profile locations emphasizes her nomadic life and the difficulty she faced in finding a true, permanent home, a search that ultimately led her to the small, Spanish-style house in Brentwood.

The Undying Legacy of Marilyn Monroe’s Real Estate

The historical significance of Marilyn Monroe’s properties, particularly the Brentwood home, transcends mere celebrity curiosity. Her residences serve as powerful cultural touchstones, illustrating the contrast between the glamorous public persona and her private, often tumultuous, life. The recent successful fight to protect 12305 Fifth Helena Drive from demolition ensures that future generations will be able to connect with the physical space where one of the 20th century's most complex and celebrated figures lived and died. This victory underscores the enduring power of her legacy and the collective desire to preserve the architectural history of Hollywood's Golden Age.

The Battle for History: Inside Marilyn Monroe's Final Home and The Shocking Fight to Save It From Demolition (2025 Update)
historical marilyn monroe apartment
historical marilyn monroe apartment

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